Guide Dog Users
of California

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
LETTER TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND
SINGLES AD
GUIDE DOG DAY AT THE CAPITOL, 2004
LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR
SPRING CONVENTION ACTIVITIES
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 17, 2004 BUSINESS MEETING
TOP TEN THINGS YOU DON’T SAY TO A GUIDE DOG SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE
GDUC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GUIDE DOG USERS OF CALIFORNIA
1215 North Olive Drive #306West Hollywood, CA 90069
323-822-9872
sharkent @aol.com
www.gdu-cal.org

July 10, 2004

California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind
400 R Street Suite 5100A
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Board Members:

Guide Dog Users of California is writing to express its concern with regard to protecting the interests of current and future clients of schools in our state. GDUC believes it is essential to safeguard these interests in its capacity as the leading consumer organization advocating and promoting the rights and quality of life for people who choose to work with guide dogs in California.

The California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind was established by the legislature within the Department of Consumer Affairs in 1948 to ensure quality training for guide dog teams, and it is essential for guide dog training programs to maintain reasonable standards for the purpose of meeting both the in class and follow up needs of disabled individuals who rely on these programs.

When acceptable levels of training and other services are threatened by circumstances outside the scope of existing regulations, the Guide Dog Board must have meaningful policies and procedures in place to effectively take action to protect the rights of consumers who train with guide dogs in California. Presently, a guide dog school in California can maintain its license by meeting established criteria, while many important elements necessary for providing effective training and follow up to blind and visually impaired clients may not exist.

Guide Dog Users of California strongly recommends that The California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind take aggressive steps in the form of adopting appropriate and effective regulations to improve and strengthen its legislatively mandated role in protecting the rights of California guide dog consumers. To this end, GDUC offers its expertise and resources and stands ready to assist in whatever fashion would most greatly facilitate this process.

Sincerely,

Sheila Styron
President, Guide Dog Users of California

"SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I'm a very good looking girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. Rub me the right way and watch me respond. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Kiss me and I'm yours. Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Daisy."

Over 15,000 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society about an 8-week old black Labrador retriever.

For the second year running, Guide Dog Users of California celebrated Guide Dog Day at the Capitol outside at noon on the west steps with the California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, California guide dog schools, lots of guide dog handlers and members of the general public.

Some participants arrived earlier in the morning to visit their representatives in the Senate and Assembly on behalf of AB1801, and GDUC thanks those who took part for all your efforts which are definitely paying off.

Karen Pearson, Harry Thomas and Jane Brackman from the Guide Dog Board contributed much to both the success of our morning and noontime efforts, and GDUC salutes their involvement in Guide Dog Day, 2004. Our noontime celebration included remarks from Jeff Thom, President of the California Council of the Blind and a few words from Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, Assembly Bill 1821’s author. Michael Hingson and Guide Dog, Roselle, famed survivors of the 911 tragedy, introduced the 2004 California Guide Dog Instructor of the Year, Todd Jurek from Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Another highlight of this year’s event was the reading of a letter from Governor Schwarzenegger by Fred Aguiar, Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agencies. The letter will appear following this report.

As we have concluded Guide Dog Day in the past, everybody gathered on the West Capitol Steps for our traditional giant group photo in commemoration of our celebration of guide dogs. Congratulations to everybody who participated in Guide Dog Day at the Capitol 2004.

On the Governor's heavy white engraved stationery with a large gold seal of the State of California with the words "Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger" under it, dated May 5, 2004 there is a centered headline in large, bold, italic type, "Guide Dog Day".

"I am pleased to extend warm greetings to all those gathered to celebrate Guide Dog Day. (paragraph)

I applaud the Guide Dog Users of California and the California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind for their work to promote awareness of the importance of guide dogs. Your efforts help blind and visually impaired people live independent lives. (paragraph)

I also commend the guide dog users who have taken up the challenge of independent living with courage and perseverance. (paragraph)

On behalf of all Californians, I offer my best wishes for a memorable event.

Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger (signature)
Arnold Schwarzenegger (printed)

As if Guide Dog Day did not provide enough excitement in May, GDUC’s spring meeting was a big hit as well. Besides our usual items for sale, we were lucky to have Carla Campbell performing canine massage and JoAnn Bitting doing canine nails, peticures, both women donating their much appreciated services as fundraisers for GDUC. Carla Campbell was also featured as GDUC’s morning presenter, and I learned much about dog anatomy that will serve me well, particularly in caring for older and injured dogs.

Our luncheon speakers were Sergeant Herndon and Officer John Denny from the San Francisco Police Department’s Vicious and Dangerous Dogs Unit. These two gentlemen have instituted a seizure program in their city which allows for the impounding of dogs who have interfered with or attacked working teams. GDUC thanks these fine officers for their informative presentation and even more for the great work they are doing in San Francisco on behalf of guide dog teams.

Also at its luncheon this year, GDUC presented Harry Thomas, Executive Officer of the California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, with one of its Lifetime Achievement awards in the form of a beautiful plaque. Harry is a good friend to blind Californians who use guide dogs, and we appreciate all he does on our behalf. Thanks also goes to Jerry Arakawa for his efforts getting the plaque for Harry.

The minutes of GDUC’s spring business meeting will appear following this article, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the CCB fall convention.

Guide Dog Users of California

Minutes for April 17, 2004

President Sheila Styron convened the meeting at 8:40 a.m. She announced that GDUC has 135 members at present and thanked everyone who donated their time and effort to GDUC advocacy and fundraising projects.

Sheila indicated that she would be moving to Kansas City in the very near future. She stated that although she was prepared to continue to serve out her term as GDUC President, the organization should devote serious effort to encouraging someone to take on the role of President. Further, Sheila stated her intention to run for president of GDUI this summer.

Treasurer’s Report: Balance as of March 17, 2004: $8871.93.

Video account balance as of March 17, 2004, $7,262.24.

$2,737.76 has been spent to date from our original balance of $10,000.00 in the “Safe Travel for Working Teams” video account. The treasurer’s report was accepted.

Sheila provided update concerning Guide Dogs of the Desert (GDD) situation. The State Guide Dog Board met in March at which time the GDD situation was discussed. Currently, it is felt that the Guide Dog Board does not have enough regulations and guidelines in place to deal with the broader issues of protecting consumers in the event of licensed California schools who may be unable to provide training and follow up services while still maintaining a license by meeting certain requirements, creating potentially unsafe and undesirable situations. A motion was made, discussed, and passed to have Sheila write a letter to the State Guide Dog Board making GDUC available to participate in developing regulations or guidelines dealing with unanticipated situations that might come up in any school licensed with the state of California.

The membership discussed the idea of changing the way in which delegates to State and National conventions were provided stipends. Motions were made, discussed, and passed to change allocations of funding to delegates attending local and national conventions to make more funds available to delegates attending the national convention in 2004. Specifically, the delegate attending National Convention will be given $500.00.

A motion was made, discussed, and passed to provide the delegate to the next two state conventions with funds covering expenses for one night at the convention and a GDUC lunch.

Membership discussed the idea of GDUC’s allocating scholarship funds for student attendees who would in turn, provide a report of their impressions of the Convention to GDUC. Ann Kysor will chair committee to further develop this idea.

Sheila was elected as delegate to National Convention Nancy Ungar will be available as backup to Sheila.

Jerry Arakawa was elected as delegate to State convention; Ann Kysor was elected as alternate.

Fundraising: $1200 was raised through Amish quilt fundraiser, ably managed by Melita Waters. Unfortunately, this event will not be taking place again next year, and GDUC thanks Melita for all her hard work and success in this endeavor over the past few years.

A motion was made and passed to allocate $1500 to purchase t-shirts as fundraiser. Discussion ensued concerning the kinds of t-shirts that should be purchased. A committee chaired by Dan Kysor will be developed to examine various options prior to purchasing the t-shirts.

GDUC will donate $250 to the puppy raising organization who volunteered to pick up dog waste at Convention, and booth fundraising activities at the convention were successful in the area of product sales and increasing GDUC membership.

Guide Dog Day will occur on May 5, on the steps of the State Capitol building. Sheila encouraged all who can to attend this event. AB1801 is continuing to move through the legislative process; no opposition is anticipated at present.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:00.

Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Arakawa
GDUC Secretary

10. He was putting on a little weight so I switched him to lite beer.

9. Can you believe they charge $100 to get a dog out of the pound in this town even if it's a guide dog?

8. No, I never let strangers pet him. Not since incident on the bus.

7. This is Fido's favorite restaurant right here. He just loves the lasagna.

6. Guide dog? What guide dog? Oh yeah, him. He's around here somewhere.

5. I've found he really prefers melted butter to water on his kibble.

4. I haven't really taken him out much lately. What's that command you use when you want him to go left?

3. My herbalist says those heart worm pills are a scam and a clove once a month works just as good.

2. Yeah, this is the same dog as the one you gave me in class. Honest.

And the #1 thing you shouldn't say to the school rep...

1. Man, this dog has turned out to be a real chick magnet.

Sheila Styron, President, 1215 N. Olive Dr. #306, West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323-822-9872,

Ann Kysor, Vice President, 225 15th Street West, Sacramento, CA 95691, 916-372-9869,

Jerry Arakawa, Secretary, 11180 Orville St., Culver City, CA 90230-5380 310-398-7004, ,

Dan Kysor, Treasurer, 225 15th Street West, Sacramento, CA 95691 916-372-9869,

Shirley Manning, Director, 201 South Alexandria Ave., #203 Los Angeles, CA 90004, 213-487-5570,

Gina McGaughey, Director, 430 St. Haight Ave., Alameda, CA 93277 510-521-4033,

Melita Waters, Immediate Past President, 220 Capri Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92703-4110, 714-836-4993,